Monguzzo Castle

Monguzzo Castle is a stone fortress sitting atop a hill in Lombardy at roughly 320 meters elevation, offering views across the Brianza landscape and nearby mountains. The complex contains three main structures: the U-shaped castle, guest quarters in Castelletto, and support buildings in Pusterla covering more than 60,000 square meters.

The castle first appears in written records around 920 when Berengar of Friuli gave the property to the canons of the San Giovanni Battista Basilica in Monza. Over the following centuries, the complex evolved from a military stronghold into a noble residence, with significant changes made during the 16th century under the Medici family.

The name derives from Latin Mons Acutus, reflecting its prominent hilltop location. Today it serves as a research center for hospital studies, showing how the fortress transformed from a military stronghold into a place dedicated to medicine and learning.

The location on elevated ground offers good light and wide views but requires some effort to climb the hill. The site covers a large area with several buildings spread across it, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended for exploring the different parts.

The castle once contained underground passages and torture chambers from the 16th century that were built during the Medici period. These rooms were later demolished when the Bentivoglio family took over and transformed the property.